Arsene Wenger promised funds to help tie up Wilfried Zaha deal

Crossing the Thames: Arsenal are hopeful of wrapping up a deal for highly rated Palace star Wilfried Zaha (Picture: Reuters)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been promised funding to help rival Manchester United for Crystal Palace sensation Wilfried Zaha.

Gunners boss Wenger is determined to improve his forward options when the January transfer window opens, and a deal for 20-year-old Zaha is his top priority.

The Ivorian-born England international is recognised as the brightest talent in Britain outside of the Premier League, and the race is now on to secure his services.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is a long-term admirer of Zaha, having had his scouts monitor the winger extensively over the past 18 months, but they are yet to make an approach to Palace in order to strike a deal.

United’s stalling has opened the door to Arsenal, who made the decision to move for Zaha after former assistant manager Pat Rice gave a glowing recommendation to Wenger around six weeks ago.

The main sticking point to a deal, though, comes from Palace’s valuation of Zaha, who has plenty of time left on his contract.

The fee is likely to be in excess of £15million, which is a price Wenger was initially unwilling to pay. However, the Arsenal board have promised him extra funding to properly rival United if a bidding war takes place.

According to the Daily Mail, Wenger is confident of bringing in life-long Arsenal fan Zaha, who would make a useful replacement for contract rebel Theo Walcott, if he decides to leave.